We asked some brilliant entrepreneurs, artists and creatives to reflect on lessons they’ve learned at prior jobs. We’ve shared highlights below.

Kathryn McCann

Covid-19 has completely altered my business model. Prior to Covid, we taught yoga, sound healing, and meditation classes on-site at different corporate businesses throughout various cities. For the past two years, we’ve been teaching remotely via Zoom Classes. This has caused both positive and negative effects. Although we’ve lost the personalized connection that an in-person class provides, we’ve managed to streamline our classes by offering one class in multiple time zones and cities. That way, one instructor can teach to a few different corporations at the same time. Read more>>

Brittany Kidd

I would say Covid forced me to refine my business model while teaching me how to adapt quickly and efficiently. Allow me to elaborate. I started my two businesses and nonprofit in September of 2019 with two business partners. After starting to gain traction in the industry and making important connections with some of the top owners/influencers and taking out two loans- Covid hit and shut down events in March 2020. My business partners had to walk away for their family and health, so I was left with everything on my shoulders and no events to plan or vend at. Read more>>

Desiree Brothe

Advocate for yourself. We hear this all the time in one way or another, and I think largely we either ignore it, or we determine that it means that we need to do more social media to tell our own story. And, while that last part has some truth, that’s not what I mean. My first three years working in community/economic development were rough, rewarding too, but rough. I was consistently viewed as young, as female, as inexperienced. All of those things were accurate. However, I had also learned quickly and gained more knowledge of the industry that I was working in than several of my counterparts, and I wasn’t afraid to speak up about what I thought would work best for our community. Read more>>

Cindy Chapman

I learned that to work with a high level of creativity in a fast-paced environment requires radical self-care. I worked as Chief Marketing Officer for a New York Times bestselling author who is also a Navy SEAL for eight years in the health & wellness space. I was fortunate to work and learn from some of the world’s most elite and motivated individuals. I pushed myself to the limit and learned that level of intensity needs to be tempered with radical self-care. Listening to one’s body and nurturing one’s self is key. Read more>>

Kris Hale

Much of my experience as a former high school social studies teacher has prepared me to be a small business owner and dog trainer. I spent 27 years in a classroom teaching. The last decade, I taught Psychology. I have always loved dogs. In 2013, we adopted a dog from a local rescue organization. We started a training class and I quickly learned how much I already knew about dog training based on my understanding of psychology. From there we began fostering and volunteering with a local rescue. I realized that I had a knack for dog training and teaching others how to work with their own fosters and dogs. Read more>>

Rebecca Schaafsman

After working in restaurants for the past 13 years, the most important knowledge and lessons I’ve gained that has helped my business is networking. Networking is such a beautiful thing. It’s where you can connect with like minded individuals, share what everyone is up to, get inspired, learn from each other and what works best for whom and so fourth. Another form of networking that I absolutely love is vending! My favorite vending spots are fun pop up events, street fairs and mountain day festivals. I have such a wonderful time connecting with everyone who is there. Read more>>

Ashley Thompson

There’s a saying that goes “never allow loyalty to make a fool out of you.” That’s one of the more important lessons I learned from a prior job. Sometimes we get stuck in these jobs that don’t allow us to grow under managers who don’t want to see us succeed. It can be scary to take a chance on yourself and step out on faith but it’s worth it. I think people are starting to realize they are worth more than a salary, which is why we’re seeing a great resignation. Find a path where you are respected, valued, trusted and happy! Read more>>

Gracyn Applegate

I’ve learned that there is a solution to every problem — sometimes you just have to get a little creative. Working in many creative fields pertaining to marketing and design, there are countless tasks that will throw curveballs, one of which occurred more recently. One day I was a Marketing Manager dealing chiefly with social media strategy and collateral creation, and the next my team was bringing me on board to starting a store from the ground up pertaining to the brand. Read more>>

Lauren McCann

Before I was an actor and filmmaker, I was a teacher. My love was working with young children and the kindergarten classroom was where I felt at home. There are so many things that young children teach you because of their openness to the world and their ability to play, discover and imagine. As a teacher, you have to plan your days, your lessons, differentiation etc, but when you are teaching 15 or so 5 year olds, you also have to be ready to toss those plans out the window. There are times where you simply have to be in the present moment with another human and help with their immediate needs what ever it may be. Read more>>

Briana Beaty

I studied Hospitality Management and Marketing at The University of Florida. My first job post graduation was at the Shore Club in Miami Beach. My boss Matthew and the owner Ian always wanted you to think in terms of the guest experience. I still think of that. What is it that moms need? How can Palm Beach Moms best serve our local and visiting moms? How can we save them time and bring joy? If you keep that mindset of service/guest experience to your customer (and employees) in the forefront you’ll always be on the right track. Read more>>

Heather Rodriguez

I spent over 20 years in Corporate roles. I feel fortunate that I learned many lessons on the importance of running a solid organization, managing a profitable business, and first and foremost always putting the customer first. Unfortunately, in larger companies the customer can tend to get lost in the shuffle, which is something I struggled with. I made the decision to start my real estate career and team to ensure that I could provide the type of customer experience I was proud to be associated with. Read more>>

Steven Kenny

Like many emerging artists I struggled financially after leaving art school. I needed to make money and wanted an art-related job. I had studied illustration in school so was hired as a sales representative for an agent that handled commercial illustrators. I learned so many behind-the-scenes lessons that serve me well as an artist today including pricing artwork, negotiating contracts, making presentations, self-promotion, etc. Overall, I gained self-confidence and learned how to present myself professionally. Read more>>